Nicotine pouch with capsule having mct oil

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention provide pouches including a capsule delivers medium chain triglycerides (MCT), which are a non-stick oil agent that prevent the paper from sticking during use. This oil is released from the capsule and flows through the walls of the pouch paper to substantially improve mouth feel and flavor. The oil can be flavored, and the nicotine pouch offers a pleasant mouth feel during use without sticking to the gums. The capsule can also provide an anti-sting effect that reduces unpleasant effects of nicotine for sensitive users.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the field of nicotine products. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to oral nicotine products contained in small containers called pouches.

BACKGROUND

Traditional means of enjoying nicotine orally involve the use of materials that can become sticky and feel unpleasant in the mouth during use. Many nicotine products are available in small containers called pouches. Commonly used products in nicotine pouches such as gum arabic, microcrystalline cellulose, or hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) can have undesirable adhesive qualities. Accordingly, some pouches and papers for use with nicotine can stick to the user's gum line which can become uncomfortable during continued use or can make the product difficult to use because the nicotine product is unable to move smoothly through the paper. In many cases these products are also buffered to a high pH for nicotine absorption using sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate, and constant exposure to basic substances in the mouth can wear away tooth enamel and cause serious damage to teeth and gums. Improved nicotine pouches are desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, what is needed is a nicotine pouch that is not buffered to a high pH and offers a pleasant mouth feel during use. Embodiments of the present invention provide a pouch for holding and delivering nicotine including a capsule that releases medium chain triglycerides (MCT), which are a non-stick oil agent that prevents the pouch paper from sticking during use. The oil is released from the capsule as it is crushed or dissolved, and flows through the walls of the pouch paper to substantially improve mouth feel and flavor. The nicotine pouch is not buffered to a high pH and offer a pleasant mouth feel during use. The capsule in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can also provide an anti-sting effect that reduces unpleasant effects of nicotine for sensitive users.

According to one embodiment, an oral nicotine product is disclosed. The oral nicotine product includes a pouch including fiber paper, a granulate mixture including nicotine disposed within the pouch, and a gelatin capsule including medium chain triglycerides (MCT) oil disposed within the pouch, the capsule is operable to release the MCT oil when broken, and the pouch is operable to release the granulate mixture and the MCT oil over time when used orally.

According to some embodiments, the MCT oil is operable to function as an anti-stick agent to substantially restrict the fiber paper of the pouch from sticking.

According to some embodiments, the gelatin capsule further includes a natural anesthetic.

According to some embodiments, the gelatin capsule further includes terpenes or essential oils.

According to some embodiments, the granulate mixture further includes microcrystalline cellulose, b-cyclodextrin, a complexing agent, filler, or salt.

According to some embodiments, the gelatin capsule further includes sorbitol, glycerin, sucralose, or coloring agents.

According to some embodiments, the gelatin capsule is a spherical 5 mm gelatin capsule.

According to some embodiments, the gelatin capsule further includes flavoring agents.

According to some embodiments, the MCT oil is operable to function to reduce an unpleasant taste produced by the nicotine.

According to some embodiments, the fiber paper includes chemically bonded rayon blended with polyester and an acrylic binder.

According to another embodiment, an oral nicotine product is disclosed, including a pouch including fiber paper, a granulate mixture including nicotine disposed within the pouch, and a gelatin capsule including medium chain triglycerides (MCT) oil disposed within the pouch, and the capsule is operable to partially dissolve in contact with saliva when used orally to release the MCT oil, and the pouch is further operable to release the granulate mixture and the MCT oil over time.

According to a different embodiment, an oral nicotine product is disclosed, including a pouch including rayon with polyester and an acrylic binder, a granulate mixture disposed within the pouch, the granulated mixture includes nicotine, microcrystalline cellulose, and b-cyclodextrin, and a gelatin capsule including medium chain triglycerides (MCT) oil, essential oils, and terpenes, and natural anesthetics disposed within the pouch, the capsule releases the MCT oil over time when held in a mouth, and the pouch is operable to release the granulate mixture and the MCT oil over time into the mouth when used orally.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification and in which like numerals depict like elements, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary product containing a nicotine pouch and MCT oil gelatin capsule according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a side view of an exemplary product containing a nicotine pouch and MCT oil gelatin capsule according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of another side view of an exemplary product containing a nicotine pouch and MCT oil gelatin capsule according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a top view of an exemplary product containing a nicotine pouch and MCT oil gelatin capsule according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a bottom view of an exemplary product containing a nicotine pouch and MCT oil gelatin capsule according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments. While the subject matter will be described in conjunction with the alternative embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter to these embodiments. On the contrary, the claimed subject matter is intended to cover alternative, modifications, and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter as defined by the appended claims.

Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, it will be recognized by one skilled in the art that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with equivalents thereof. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects and features of the subject matter. It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities.

Nicotine Pouch with Capsule Having MCT Oil

Embodiments of the present invention provide pouches including a capsule which delivers medium chain triglycerides (MCT), which are a non-stick oil agent that prevent the pouch paper from sticking during use. The pouch with capsule are designed to be used orally, for instance, as an oral nicotine product. This oil is released from the capsule and flows through the walls of the pouch paper to substantially improve mouth feel and flavor. The nicotine pouch is not buffered to a high pH and offer a pleasant mouth feel during use. The capsule can also provide an anti-sting effect that reduces unpleasant effects of nicotine for sensitive users.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary oral nicotine product (“nicotine pouch”) 105 according to embodiments of the present invention. Nicotine pouch 105 includes fiber paper that holds a granulate mixture of nicotine, bulking agents, flavors, and/or sweeteners. The pouch material as is well-known can be a chemically bonded fabric made of regenerated cellulose (e.g., rayon) that is blended with polyester and an acrylic binder. Nicotine pouch 105 can include a small amount of MCT oil to improve the mouth feel of the pouch and has a pH level appropriate for nicotine delivery (e.g., 8.0-9.1). In accordance with various embodiments, the nicotine pouch 105 is placed in the mouth during use and the granulate mixture is absorbed by the user's mouth and gums through the porous walls of the fiber paper, with the MCT oil advantageously preventing sticking and improving mouth feel. The pouch can also be made from an any heat sealable fabric made of elastic mesh of polyamide, thermoplastic polyurethane, silicone, latex, rubber, plastic, melt blown polymer fibers, or any nonwoven fabric produced by dry-laid, wet-laid, or spun melt processes, as is well-known in the art.

According to some embodiments, the granulate mixture includes nicotine b-cyclodextrin complex blended with microcrystalline cellulose. The nicotine level of the granulate mixture is between 4 mg and 20 mg of nicotine according to embodiments. The nicotine b-cyclodextrin granulate can be dried and mixed with microcrystalline cellulose, mannitol, maltitol, erythritol, sucralose, calcium lactate, sodium bicarbonate, flavoring agents, and can be granulated with a solution of gum arabic or HPC.

According to some embodiments, the pouch holds nicotine derived from tobacco. According to other embodiments, the pouch holds nicotine derived synthetically. Other embodiments may hold nicotine produced by other means, or different combinations of methods.

Advantageously, the nicotine pouch 105 includes a capsule 110 that is held in the mouth (e.g., along the gum line) to release flavors carried in MCT oil that both increase the flavor profile of the product and oil or “moisten” the pouch. In the example of FIG. 1 , capsule 110 is a spherical 5 mm gelatin capsule that releases MCT oil during use which is then coated onto the mouth and gums thereby improving flavor and mouthfeel. Capsule 110 can further include sorbitol, glycerin, sucralose, and coloring agents, for example. In alternative embodiments, capsule 110 holds glycerol and mineral oil that act as non-stick agents instead of or in addition to MCT oil.

The nicotine pouch 105 is held in the user's mouth, for example, along the gum line, and the nicotine flows through the pouch paper into the user's mouth, coating the mouth and gums. The active nicotine is enjoyed by the user over a period of about 20 minutes before the nicotine is fully consumed. Capsule 110 can be crushed in the mouth during use to rapidly release the flavors and oils held within, and nicotine pouch 105 can be held in the user's mouth for approximately 20 minutes for the nicotine to fully absorb. The capsule 110 can be crushed by biting, chewing, or otherwise compressing the capsule such that the walls of the capsule are punctured to release the oil held within. Alternatively, pouch 105 can be held in the mouth without breaking capsule 110, in which case capsule 110 slowly dissolves over a period of approximately 5 to 10 minutes when in contact with saliva in the mouth, allowing the flavors and oils to release slowly over time. The oil (e.g., MCT oil) flows easily through the walls of nicotine pouch 105 during use and prevents unwanted sticking to the gum line.

According to some embodiments, capsule 110 includes natural general anesthetics such as thymol, eugenol, or linalool that are released from the capsule to offset unpleasant effects or flavors of nicotine (e.g., stinging effects).

According to some embodiments, capsule 110 includes terpenes and/or essential oils that are released from the capsule and absorbed by the mouth and gums.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a side view of an exemplary nicotine pouch 105 and MCT oil gelatin capsule 110 according to embodiments of the present invention. From the side view, nicotine pouch 105 is oval and shape with a seam running horizontally across nicotine pouch 105. MCT oil gelatin capsule 110 is disposed in the center of nicotine pouch 105 and is crushed or dissolved during use. The nicotine and MCT oil flow from within pouch 105 through the porous walls and into the user's mouth so that the user can enjoy the nicotine and improved mouth feel (without sticking). FIG. 3 is a diagram of another side view of an exemplary nicotine pouch 105 and MCT oil gelatin capsule 110 according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a top view of an exemplary nicotine pouch 105 and MCT oil gelatin capsule 110 according to embodiments of the present invention. The seam runs along the top surface of nicotine pouch 105 and the edges of pouch 105 are sealed closed. FIG. 5 is a diagram of a bottom view of an exemplary nicotine pouch 105 and MCT oil gelatin capsule 110 according to embodiments of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention are thus described. While the present invention has been described in particular embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present invention should not be construed as limited by such embodiments, but rather construed according to the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An oral nicotine product, comprising: a pouch comprising fiber paper; a granulate mixture comprising nicotine disposed within the pouch; and a gelatin capsule comprising medium chain triglycerides (MCT) oil disposed within the pouch, wherein the capsule is operable to release the MCT oil when broken, and wherein the pouch is operable to release the granulate mixture and the MCT oil over time when used orally.
 2. The oral nicotine product of claim 1, wherein the MCT oil is operable to function as an anti-stick agent to substantially restrict the fiber paper of the pouch from sticking to gums when used orally.
 3. The oral nicotine product of claim 1, wherein the gelatin capsule further comprises a natural anesthetic.
 4. The oral nicotine product of claim 1, wherein the gelatin capsule further comprises terpenes or essential oils.
 5. The oral nicotine product of claim 1, wherein the granulate mixture comprises 4 to 20 mg of nicotine.
 6. The oral nicotine product of claim 1, wherein the gelatin capsule further comprises sorbitol, glycerin, sucralose, or coloring agents.
 7. The oral nicotine product of claim 1, wherein the gelatin capsule is a spherical 5 mm gelatin capsule.
 8. The oral nicotine product of claim 1, wherein the gelatin capsule further comprises flavoring agents.
 9. The oral nicotine product of claim 1, wherein the MCT oil is operable to function to reduce an unpleasant taste produced by the nicotine.
 10. The oral nicotine product of claim 1, wherein the fiber paper comprises chemically bonded rayon blended with polyester and an acrylic binder.
 11. An oral nicotine product, comprising: a pouch comprising fiber paper; a granulate mixture comprising nicotine disposed within the pouch; and a gelatin capsule comprising medium chain triglycerides (MCT) oil disposed within the pouch, and wherein the capsule is operable to partially dissolve in contact with saliva when used orally to release the MCT oil, and wherein the pouch is further operable to release the granulate mixture and the MCT oil over time.
 12. The oral nicotine product of claim 11, wherein the MCT oil is operable to function as an anti-stick agent to substantially prevent the fiber paper of the pouch from sticking.
 13. The oral nicotine product of claim 11, wherein the gelatin capsule further comprises a natural anesthetic.
 14. The oral nicotine product of claim 11, wherein the gelatin capsule further comprises terpenes or essential oils.
 15. The oral nicotine product of claim 11, wherein the nicotine is derived from tobacco.
 16. The oral nicotine product of claim 11, wherein nicotine is derived synthetically.
 17. The oral nicotine product of claim 11, wherein the gelatin capsule is a spherical 5 mm gelatin capsule.
 18. The oral nicotine product of claim 11, wherein the gelatin capsule further comprises flavoring agents.
 19. The oral nicotine product of claim 11, wherein the MCT oil is operable to reduce unpleasant tastes produced by the nicotine.
 20. An oral nicotine product, comprising: a pouch comprising rayon with polyester and an acrylic binder; a granulate mixture disposed within the pouch, wherein the granulated mixture comprises nicotine, microcrystalline cellulose, and b-cyclodextrin; and a gelatin capsule comprising medium chain triglycerides (MCT) oil, essential oils, and terpenes, and natural anesthetics disposed within the pouch, wherein the capsule releases the MCT oil over time when held in a mouth, and wherein the pouch is operable to release the granulate mixture and the MCT oil over time into the mouth when used orally. 